Home Cook Together. Celebrate Life.

MoroccanAuthentic Cuisine

Orange Blossom Fruit

Serves 4 Dessert vegetarian, Desserts

Orange Blossom Fruit

Orange Blossom Fruit is a refreshing end to a hearty Moroccan meal, especially when the oranges are at their peak. This simple dessert, rooted in the country's rich tradition of balancing flavors, is often enjoyed after a feast of tagines or couscous, when something light and fragrant is desired to cleanse the palate.

The dish should taste like a citrus garden in bloom — sweet, floral, and slightly spicy. The orange slices, kissed with orange blossom water and a sprinkle of cinnamon, create a delicate harmony that is both invigorating and soothing. A touch of sugar enhances their natural sweetness, while fresh mint leaves add a burst of coolness.

Ingredients

  • 4oranges
  • 1 tbsporange blossom water
  • 1 tspcinnamon
  • 1 tbspsugar — optional
  • 1 tbspfresh mint leaves — optional

Method

  1. Begin by selecting 4 ripe, juicy oranges. Use a sharp knife to carefully peel the oranges, removing all the white pith as it can add bitterness. Once peeled, slice the oranges crosswise into thin, even rounds, about 1/4 inch thick, and arrange them in a single layer on a large serving platter.
  2. In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of orange blossom water with 1 tablespoon of sugar. Stir the mixture until the sugar is fully dissolved, creating a fragrant syrup. Drizzle this syrup evenly over the sliced oranges, ensuring each piece is lightly coated.
  3. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon evenly over the oranges. The cinnamon should form a light dusting that enhances the natural sweetness of the fruit without overpowering it.
  4. Cover the platter with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. Allow the oranges to chill for about 15 minutes, which will help the flavors meld together and the oranges to become slightly firmer.
  5. Before serving, finely chop 1 tablespoon of fresh mint leaves. Scatter the mint over the chilled orange slices, adding a fresh, aromatic contrast to the sweet and spiced fruit. Serve immediately as a refreshing dessert.
Cover of Authentic Moroccan Cuisine Preview the cookbookBrowse the dishes inside
From the cookbook

Authentic Moroccan Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic Moroccan Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the Moroccan volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.